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. 2021 Nov;69(11):3225-3231.
doi: 10.1111/jgs.17374. Epub 2021 Sep 13.

The geriatric incontinence syndrome: Characterizing geriatric incontinence in older women

Candace Parker-Autry  1 , Rebecca H Neiberg  2 , Iris Leng  2 , Lisa Colombo  3 , George A Kuchel  4 , Stephen B Kritchevsky  5
Affiliations

The geriatric incontinence syndrome: Characterizing geriatric incontinence in older women

Candace Parker-Autry et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: Among older women, the clinical presentation of urinary incontinence (UI) is heterogeneous; presenting as a pelvic floor condition or geriatric syndrome. We aimed to characterize the geriatric incontinence syndrome (GIS) to establish its foundation in clinical practice.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Geriatric Clinical Research Unit.

Participants: Sixty-one community-dwelling women aged 70 and older with bothersome UI symptoms.

Measurements: UI symptom type and severity were determined by 3-day bladder diary. UI severity was defined; moderate UI defined as <2 UI episodes/day and severe UI defined as ≥2 UI episodes/day. Subjective assessment of physical performance was determined using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score. Total SPPB scores >9 define normal physical performance and scores ≤9 defined impaired physical performance.

Results: The average age was 77.1 ± 5.8 (mean ± SD) years; 69% of women had severe UI and 31% had moderate UI. Demographic characteristics were similar between groups. Daytime voiding frequency was 7.1 ± 2.9 and nocturia was present equally between groups. The majority of women (59%) with severe UI had SPPB ≤9 compared with 26% among women with moderate UI (p = 0.02); featuring significantly slower chair stand scores (2.3 ± 1.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.9, p = 0.007) and gait speed (0.08 ± 0.2 m/s compared with 1.0 ± 0.2 in women with moderate UI).

Conclusions: A multifactorial GIS may be present in older women evidenced by the co-existence of severe UI, physical disability, slower chair stand pace, and gait speed. Prospective studies are needed to understand how these clinical features may impact the clinical care of older incontinent women.

Keywords: functional impairment; geriatric syndrome; urinary incontinence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Checklist: [Table: see text]

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Concentric model of geriatric incontinence syndrome phenotype
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Conceptual framework modeling the cumulative impact of multiple deficits contributing to the geriatric incontinence syndrome
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Geriatrics.
    Griebling TL. Griebling TL. J Urol. 2022 May;207(5):1129-1131. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000002466. Epub 2022 Feb 10. J Urol. 2022. PMID: 35139649 No abstract available.
  • Diagnostic Urology, Urinary Diversion and Perioperative Care.
    Wang DS. Wang DS. J Urol. 2022 May;207(5):1129. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000002475. Epub 2022 Mar 3. J Urol. 2022. PMID: 35236123 No abstract available.

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